U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus, who has represented Alabama's 6th District for two decades, turned back all three of his challengers in Tuesday's Republican primary and won the nomination without a runoff.

Bachus, 64, will face the Democratic nominee, Penny H.Bailey, in November in the Republican-leaning district that includes most of Jefferson and Blount counties, plus Shelby, Chilton, Coosa and Bibb counties.

With 87 percent of the vote counted, Bachus had 59 percent, ending all speculation about whether he had enough loyalty in the district to withstand three conservative challengers. State Sen. Scott Beason of Gardendale had 27 percent; Blount County Probate Judge David Standridge had 12 percent; and Alabaster pharmacy technician Al Mickle had 2 percent.

Bachus, who is in his last year as chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, leaned heavily on the industry to help finance his campaign, including dozens of big checks that rolled in at the last minute from national political action committees. Bachus used the money to remind voters of his conservative record on social issues and his opposition to President Barack Obama's agenda, and also defend himself from attacks on his integrity.

He said opponents went too far in attacking his record and that the hard edges of the campaign at times made him anxious, but he said it was worse for his family.

"It's been harder for them than it has been for me," he said. "If you've been in Washington, you're used to sharp elbows."

At Rosewood Hall in Homewood, Bachus took to the stage at 10 p.m. to thank supporters and remind them to support him again in November.

"I'll do everything I can in this next Congress to make those of you who voted for me proud of that vote," he said.

On paper, it was supposed to be Bachus' most difficult primary campaign ever. But Republican voters Tuesday defied the anti-incumbent sentiment nationally and stuck with the veteran congressman, despite the pending investigation into his personal finances. The independent Office of Congressional Ethics is reviewing Bachus' stock trading records after allegations that he made timely trades based on information he had access to as a member of Congress. Bachus has denied wrongdoing and is cooperating with the investigation.

Beason, despite help from a Texas political action committee that spent heavily on advertising against Bachus, didn't break through.

Even in Gardendale, Beason's hometown, voters were divided.

"I don't like Beason. I just think he's a demagogue," said Ben Clements, 76, who said he voted for Bachus.

Len Gedgoudas said he voted for Beason. "I just think it's good in our democracy to change the blood out every once in a while," he said. His wife, Ann, opted for Bachus, saying, "he's done a pretty good job." In a concession speech at the Gardendale Civic Center at about 10 p.m., Beason attributed his loss to Bachus' superior supply of campaign cash.

"We knew what we were up against," Beason said.

But Beason said he was proud to have run a campaign against accumulating national debt and bailouts for banks. He wished Bachus well and said he expected the congressman to win re-election in the fall.

6th District Democrats

With 83 percent of the vote counted, Democrat Penny Bailey of Leeds, a 51-year-old retired Air Force colonel, had 60 percent, to 40 percent for William Barnes of Pinson, a 63-year-old attorney. It is Bailey's first run for office; Barnes lost to Sen. Richard Shelby in 2010.

7th District Republicans

In another Birmingham-area congressional race, Republicans in the 7th District chose Don Chamberlain of Selma over Phil Norris of Hoover. With 54 percent of the vote in, Chamberlain had 64 percent to 36 percent Norris. Chamberlain, 65, is a retired power plant worker who was the GOP nominee for the seat in 2010 but lost to Terri Sewell. This year, he is again promoting the district's rich farmland as an asset for creating business and jobs in organic farming. Norris is a 51-year-old radiological engineer who used to work on nuclear submarines for the U.S. Navy.

1st District Republicans

U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner will win a sixth term representing Mobile and southwestern Alabama. His three challengers were Peter Gounares, Pete Riehm and Dean Young, and there are no Democrats in the race.

5th District Republicans

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, is running for a second term and turned back a challenge in the Republican primary from the district's former congressman, Parker Griffith, a former Democrat. Brooks faces Democrat Charlie Holley in November.

4th District Democrats

Democrat Daniel Boman, a state legislator from Sulligent, defeated Rick Neighbors of Franklin County in District 4 and will compete against U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, in November.